Steve Carell Explains Fine Dining Standards To Gordon Ramsay | Uncut | The Jonathan Ross Show

Summary

In this engaging interview, Steve Carell reflects on his career journey, from comedic roles to dramatic acclaim, particularly his part in *The Big Short*. He shares humorous and personal stories, such as his Oscar nomination experience and his 25-pound weight gain for a role. The conversation also touches on his early aspirations to become a lawyer, his time at Second City, and meeting his wife there. Carell also humorously discusses high-end dining experiences, Minions' global success, and his transition into more serious acting roles. It's an insightful and funny look at his life and career.

Takeaways

• 😀 Steve Carell reminisces about his excitement when he was nominated for an Oscar, describing how he and his wife reacted at 5 a.m. watching the announcement.
• 😀 He reflects on his transition from comedy to more serious roles, highlighting how he was unexpectedly offered a role in a dramatic film like 'Foxcatcher.'
• 😀 Carell shares that his character in 'Foxcatcher' was based on a real person, and he met with him and his family during filming.
• 😀 In the new film, 'The Big Short,' Carell plays a character who discovers the financial corruption leading up to the 2008 crisis, and the moral conflict of profiting from others' losses.
• 😀 The film 'The Big Short' presents a real story of individuals betting against the housing market, which led to the 2008 financial crisis.
• 😀 Steve Carell gained 25 pounds for his role in 'The Big Short' at the director's request, notably eating a lot of Chicago deep-dish pizza to achieve the weight gain.
• 😀 Carell humorously describes how he received compliments for his weight gain on set, particularly being told 'wow, you're so fat, good for you.'
• 😀 In the conversation, Carell humorously discusses his wife’s minimal involvement in the eating challenge, as she barely partook in the deep-dish pizza.
• 😀 The interview touches on Carell's career in comedy and acting, emphasizing his background with improv group Second City and meeting his wife there.
• 😀 The conversation also delves into Carell’s family life, including the story of how he and his wife, Nancy, first connected and celebrated 20 years together.

Q & A

How did the guest feel about being nominated for a Golden Globe?

The guest expressed that while they tried to act cool and not care about the nomination, they were genuinely excited. They shared a story about waking up early to watch the Oscar nominations with their wife, showing how much they did care despite pretending not to.

What was the guest's reaction when they were nominated for an Oscar?

The guest recalled the moment as incredibly exciting. They were up at 5 AM, watching the nominations with a cup of coffee, and both the guest and their wife ran to each other in excitement when the nomination was announced.

What was the guest's experience like portraying a serious character in a movie after being known for comedy?

The guest acknowledged how surprising it was to be offered such a serious role. They hadn’t seen themselves as a likely candidate for such a role, but the director saw something in them. They expressed feeling lucky to have had the opportunity.

How did the guest prepare for their role based on a real person they met?

The guest met the real person they portrayed, spending time with them and even having them visit the set. The real person was present during the second day of shooting, which made the experience surreal for the guest.

Why did the guest have to gain 25 pounds for their role?

The director asked the guest to gain weight for the role, and they happily accepted the challenge. They consumed a lot of deep-dish pizza, which became a part of their weight-gaining journey.

What was the guest's experience with deep-dish pizza like?

The guest found it to be a horrifyingly wonderful experience. They became quite fond of deep-dish pizza, even though their wife only had a small piece of it over the course of three months.

How did the guest's wife react to the extra weight the guest gained for the role?

The guest's wife did not join in the eating fest but had a small piece of pizza every now and then. She didn’t seem to mind the extra weight, showing support for the guest in the process.

Did the guest’s wife appreciate the extra weight gained for the role in a romantic sense?

The guest jokingly referred to their wife as finding the extra weight delightful during intimate moments, but emphasized that she loved them for who they were, regardless of the weight.

How did the guest feel about the extravagant dining experience they once had?

The guest recalled a fancy meal in San Francisco where they were unimpressed by the high-end dishes. They found the gourmet experience, such as duck foam, to be lost on them, preferring more straightforward meals.

What was the guest's initial career aspiration before acting?

The guest initially thought they would become an attorney, but after filling out a law school application and realizing they couldn't answer why they wanted to be an attorney, they decided to pursue acting instead.